Financial Planning

9 Steps to a Finding The Best Mortgage for You - Getting Preapproved By Your Len
Many potential borrowers mistakenly believe a mortgage "prequalification" or "preapproval" letter is the equivalent of money in the bank. But that's not the case. Remember, prequalification is not the same as preapproval. Prequalification is an...
ILIT - The Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) are planning tools used to keep life insurance proceeds outside of the taxable estate. For example, if a married couple has an estate of 6 million, they can pass 4 million to the next generation with no...
How To Watch a (Stock Market) Bottom
Recently, Lisa and I were waiting to be seated at a Kittery, Maine restaurant. The hostess stood to our left; we sat waiting. I avoided looking in her direction until Lisa said, "I like those jeans." Well, we both acknowledged the jeans and the gen...
When Not to Name Your Spouse the Beneficiary of Your IRA
In most cases, naming your spouse as the beneficiary of your IRA makes the most sense. However, depending on your wishes, other beneficiary arrangements may do a better job of accomplishing your goals. First, let's take a quick look at the requi...
Credit Card Debt Consolidation: Eradicate Your Card Blues
If you have you been receiving dunning calls and mails from credit card organizations, then it is time to call a debt consolidation organization. Various debt management programs and loans have been planned by these organizations to address uncontr...
Make the most out of your 401(k)
This year (2007) you can contribute up to $15,500 to your employers 401(k) plan. If you are older than 50 add an extra $5,000 in catch-up contributions for a total of $20,500. If you are eligible to participate and your employer offers matching con...
Debt Consolidation Company: Put Your Finances Back On Track
If you have more bills accumulating that you can possibly pay off, this is the time for you to avail the services of a debt consolidation company. When you choose to consolidate your mounting debts through these companies, it does not only help you...
Give Your Investments Six Pack Tabs
When retirement heats up, will your portfolio wear a t-shirt in the pool of riches or will it proudly display its core stability? For a respectable savings, the following six aspects of financial planning should be exercised. First, remember th...
Ten Things the Average Person Does Not Know About Annuities
Deferred annuities possess characteristics found nowhere else. They play an important part in seniors' portfolios. Seniors hold billions of dollars in deferred annuities. However, my experience is that the average person knows little about the u...
The Buy-Sell Agreement: Why It Is The Simple Solution
If you own a business, odds are the business represents a sizable portion of your estate. Therefore, planning for the orderly disposition of the business is an important planning consideration. The most basic element of the plan involves the use...